Net Zero: The idea is to balance the energy your home uses with an equal amount of renewable energy created. Not to be confused with living off the grid, net-zero homes may use energy from the grid one day and then sell an equal amount back the next.

It’s that time of year again! Fall is the perfect time to do your annual home maintenance. The following list will help you protect what is probably your most valuable investment from the damaging effects of weather, wear and tear, and general mishaps.

Check for Damage:
– Deal with any pests in basements and attics.
– Inspect foundation and fill any cracks with epoxy.
– Check for dampness and for signs of mold and mildew.
– Assess and/or remove any dead or severely damaged trees.

Shifting to a smaller space means scaling down your stuff. If you only have room for half or even a third of your belongings in your new space, some major downsizing is in order. Use these tips to make the process less intimidating and stressful:

Start Early – Give yourself three to six months to gradually scale down your stuff to avoid the temptation to pack up everything during the last-minute rush as you count down to moving day.

Avoid Overwhelm – Pace yourself! Set aside an hour or two every day to go through each drawer, closet and box to decide what to get rid of.

One Space at a Time – Instead of whirling through the entire house pulling things out of closets and dumping boxes, be systematic. Always finish one area before moving onto the next.

Sort Smart – Use the three-bin system: label three bins as “keep,” “sell” and “donate” to allow you to quickly organize items as you go through each room.

Be Ruthless – Think hard about what you actually need, especially in rooms like the kitchen that tend to accumulate duplicates. Then, purge everything else.

Plan Your Space – Get a copy of the new floor plan, and measure and place your furniture to see what you can realistically fit.

Donate to Charities – Find out what your favorite local charities will take as donations. Most list on their websites what they are currently in need of and what they absolutely do not want.

Sell What You Can – Take valuables to an antiques dealer or auction,list desirable everyday items online and hold a garage sale for smaller household goods. You might even turn a profit from your move!

It wasn’t long ago that food replicators, holograms and computers that respond to your voice were the stuff of science fiction. These futuristic appliances are making that vision of the future a reality (although you’ll have to wait a while to get your hands on some of them).

3D Food Printer – Funded by NASA, the 3D Pizza Printer is intended for extended space travel and works by “printing” pizza building blocks from powder cartridges. Who knows what other kinds of food could be eventually printed?

Mini Dishwasher – Decidedly impractical for a family of four, this pint-sized power washer is just big enough for singles. It even recycles its own water!

Smart Refrigerator – Designed for the modern family, smart refrigerators are turning a formerly humble appliance into a multi-media food management hub with features like integrated apps, receipt scanning, expiration date monitoring and grocery list management.

Under-Cabinet Tech – Perfect for any high-tech kitchen, this modular under-cabinet system can be customized to fit your needs with accessories like plugs, lighting and tablet/smartphone holders.

Limitations on Temporary Housing — Find out if there are limits on how much or how long your policy will cover temporary housing while you repair or rebuild your home.

Replacement Cost — Confirm your coverage is adequate in the event your home is completely destroyed; policies often place a cap on replacement cost. Find out from a local builder if there have been substantial increases in materials and labor costs.

Changes to Building Codes — Consider adding ordinance and law coverage to avoid situations in which you aren’t covered for required upgrades to undamaged parts of your home to meet the current building codes.

Extended Absence Coverage — Review your policy to find out if your extended vacation could potentially void your policy. You may need to take additional steps to protect against damage while you are away or obtain special unoccupied property insurance.